only which political circumstances required, and which the exclusion of the Athanasian Creed made necessary in the eighth article.

In 1804, an office was framed and ordered to be used at the induction of clergymen to the rectorship of churches. In 1808, this office was changed in name to "the office of institution,” and rested on recommendation, not on requisition as before. At the same time thirty hymns were added to the Book of Psalms and Hymns.

In 1811, an amendment to the constitution of the Church was adopted, by which all further alterations in the Liturgy were restrained, except such as should be proposed at one Convention and ratified three years afterwards at the next. Since that period very few changes have been effected; and those few have been chiefly of a minor description. The Hymns set forth by the authority of the General Convention are now 212 in number, and have been chiefly selected from the best English sacred poetry. A selection from the metrical Psalms, with many alterations and improvements, has also been authorized and substituted for the entire version of Tate and Brady. There is at present an increasing disposition to avoid unnecessary changes and to keep as close as possible to the Liturgy of the Church of England.

As there are many to whom this subject will

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prove interesting, I here subjoin a list

alterations which have been admitted.

trifling verbal changes are not specified.

of the chief A few very

The general contents of the American Prayer Book, as well as their order, are nearly the same with those of the Church of England. The Creed of St. Athanasius, the Commination, and the Forms of Prayer for the 5th of November, the 30th of January, the 29th of May, and the 29th of January, are all omitted. Between the "Churching of Women" and the "Psalter" are inserted "Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea;" "A Form of Prayer for the Visitation of Prisoners;” “A Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Fruits of the Earth, and all the other Blessings of His merciful Providence;" "Forms of Prayer to be used in Families;" "Selections of Psalms to be used instead of the Psalms for the Day, at the discretion of the Minister." The following are always printed after the Psalter, though not contained in the table of contents:-" Articles of Religion;" "The Form and Manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating Bishops, Priests, and Deacons;" "The Form of Consecration of a Church or Chapel ;" "Prayer to be used at the Meetings of Convention;""Office of Institution of Ministers into Parishes or Churches." After the selection from the metrical Psalter the Hymns are always inserted.

The Preface differs from that of the English Prayer Book, having been drawn up with the design of vindicating the alterations admitted by the American Church. In the Order for the Psalter, the injunction to repeat the Gloria Patri at the end of every Psalm is omitted, as well as the note. Permission is also given to use the Selection of Psalms, and on days of fasting and thanksgiving, such psalms and lessons as the minister may consider expedient, unless any have been appointed by the ecclesiastical authority. A few alterations are also made in the table of "Proper Psalms on certain Days." The arrangement of Lessons from the Old Testament for Sundays is altered. From Septuagesima to Easter, passages from the Prophets, of a penitential character, are read; from Easter to Whitsunday, chapters from the Prophets, adapted to the season; and from Trinity Sunday to the 22nd Sunday after Trinity, selections from the Historical Books. While in the English Prayer Book the lessons from the New Testament are those appointed for the day of the month, in the American there are lessons specially appointed for every Sunday in the year. Lessons from the Apocrypha are read on holy-days, but never on Sundays. In the "Table of Vigils, &c." the vigils are wholly omitted; but the fasts coincide with those of the Church of England, a peculiar distinction being

given to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The first Thursday in November, unless the civil authority should appoint another day, is set apart as a day of Thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth.

The first Rubric is omitted, because parts of it have become obsolete, and because custom is considered to have sufficiently established the use of the surplice, the gown, and other usual ornaments. Three additional sentences, namely, Hab. ii. 20, Mal. ii. 11, and Psalm xix. 14, are prefixed to those which stand at the commencement of the Morning and Evening Services. In the General Confession, and in all other places where it occurs, the expressions "them which," and "them that" are altered to "those who." After the usual Absolution, which is denominated the declaration of Absolution, is inserted the Absolution belonging to the Communion Service, which may be used instead of the former at the discretion of the minister. In the Lord's Prayer, the American service reads, "Our Father wно art, &c." After the Lord's Prayer, the words, " O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us," are omitted. The four last verses of the Venite are omitted, and the 9th and 13th verses of the 96th Psalm inserted in their stead. After the Psalms are finished, the Gloria Patri or the Gloria in Excelsis must be said or sung. In the Te Deum, as well as in the Psalms,

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the metrical punctuation is set aside. The 16th verse of the former reads thus, "When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a virgin." In the Benedicite, the address to Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, is omitted. The last eight verses of the Benedictus are omitted. In the Apostles' Creed is to be noticed the variation already mentioned on the descent into hell, which has occasioned so much controversy. The expression, "he rose again," is also changed to "he rose. Then follows the Nicene Creed, which may be substituted for the former at the discretion of the minister. Subsequently to the Creed, immediately after the words "let us pray," the whole of the versicles, as well as the Lord's Prayer, are omitted as far as the prayer, " O God, make clean our hearts within us." The first Collect is omitted when the Communion Service is read.

The Prayer for the President is slightly altered from the Prayer for the King. The expression "our most gracious Sovereign Lord" is changed to " thy servant the President of the United States." The words, "High and Mighty, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the only Ruler of Princes," are altered to "the High and Mighty Ruler of the Universe." "Health and wealth," is altered to "health and prosperity;" and the petition for victory over his enemies is wholly omitted. This prayer is always